Both West Ham United and Lucas Paquetá have undergone a mammoth ordeal at the hands of the FA’s inquiry into the allegations of ‘yellow cards for betting’. Now approaching two years since the first allegations were made, the Brazilian has been living, training and playing under the threat of a lifetime ban from his career and his livelihood.
The impact on his well being and his family is huge.
The £80 million dream move to Manchester City evaporated and West Ham were unable to sell the player for what would have been £30 million more than they paid for him.
And still there is no end in sight, with the latest expectations suggesting that the FA could deliver its verdict next season – I have read some saying even February next year. You have to feel for the man and his family who have to endure the constant worry – plus of course Lucas Paquetá is marooned at West Ham and unable to be transferred to another club with the threat constantly hanging over him.
Which means for us, as fans, there is an upside in this dreadful saga. Watching Paquetá perform in the second half yesterday, with his tricks and flicks and the cute penalty routine, we are the winners in this awful FA-induced saga.
As long as the threat of a ‘guilty’ verdict remains and West Ham’s number 10 waits for his name to be cleared, we get to appreciate him as a Hammer for another half- or quite probably full-season.
Now we’d all rather the threat of a ban and these allegations all disappeared, of course: For the good of the player, his family and for the good of the club: But let’s just appreciate what we have, whilst we have him.
Lucas Paquetá denies all of the FA’s allegations made against him
If a decision has been made……why the delay in an announcement? I haven’t followed the drawn-out saga like some of you probably have, so I’m well and truly in the dark.
Do we know how long he has left on his contract? The nightmare would be if he was out of contact before the verdict is given. Do we give him a new contract with the risk of a lifetime ban or let him leave on a Bosman and then lose a fortune if he is cleared.
expires June 2027, West Ham have an option for 1 year extension on that
And the same time the FA has no ~@@@@@@@ to do anything about the 112 charges hanging over Man City! Bunch of @@@@@@@ useless@@@@😡
Well said
Well, clearly it isn’t the FA’s verdict. It is the independent panels verdict.
However, I think that the way the FA have conducted this matter is an utter disgrace and possibly even an abuse of process.
It wouldn’t surprise me, if this goes on, to see West Ham, Paqueta or both, take the FA to court in order to bring it to an end.
Do you mean the independent panel that was selected by the FA?
Agree with all posts Paqueta has Moyes as a witness it’s up to his Barrister to take the F.A to court there’s probably an appeal if he is found guilty this case could have been wrapped up in a few months if they have the proof then show it.
If this was a multi murder trial it would take months not years.
so true!
FA are looking to voluntarily bankrupt themselves. The compensation figures just keep growing… idiots!
This is absolutely disgraceful from the FA – but I am also getting a bit fed up with our management. Do you think Man Utd or Liverpool would take this? No, they demand a ruling as if the conclusive evidence isn’t there sue for damages. No solid case takes this long to prosecute.
So you don’t think the club are taking advice from the best lawyers then.
This was always a ‘ witch hunt ‘ . Westham have been hamstrung by these ridiculous allegations and the timing correlates exactly to the 2 years of crappy form for the club . Westham were set to sign Cole Palmer had Paqueta gone to Man City for 85 million but now the suggestion is his value being just 20-30 million . This result is a potential motive for one or more of the Big Six to be guilty of manipulating members of the FA to pursue the spurious charges . Heads should roll .
It is disgraceful that any group can operate and file allegations with impunity. Any person or group making formal allegations against another should be accountable or ignored.
It’s outrageous that he is still waiting to know the outcome of the investigation it’s all been judged by now the verdict is known to the FA but for some reason they are constantly refusing to let everyone else know especially paqueta who has along with his family had to live under this cloud it’s absolutely disgusting the way the FA have treated him and the club
The FA must be worried about being sued this whole saga was mostly based on testimony of an unreliable witness with uncorobborated claims.
The sums were trivial and Paquetas behaviour not inconsistent with his entire history, he has always picked up stupid bookings and this commented on by numerous managers and commentators.
We may be the beneficiaries, hopefully we can facilitate a mutually beneficial trade with City for O Reilly and McAtee who would both be first team ready and give us potential for huge sell on value. Bowen would have real competition or alternatively if he wanted to move on give the club the option of cashing in to rebuild.
Feels like Potter will need many windows to really establish his philosophy and will need more assets to be sold to fund it.
I believe it’s fair to say, WHU have had the worst end of a nightmare. Paqueta for all his pleading not guilty shouts, it has been WHU and their £50 million investment that has been shoved at the back of the yellow card saga. £50 million has been wiped off our flexible balance sheet, if he is found not guilty, he expects the ever loyal WHU club to let him dictate his exit strategy. Nearly as farcical as the current UK government.
I suppose when PAC Man sails away in his reliable ship to Flamengo, we will be left wondering how our £51 million investment turned into a massive loss……
Where does February come from?
I’ve updated my article and added the link to my post, John, ‘Next season’ is from the mirror.co.uk. I have read ‘February’ elsewhere and will dig out the reference for you.
The FA are now down to turning over pebbles to try and find something. Its because they are so afraid of the consequences of admitting they have nothing.
It is scandalous for the FA to protect this like they have. It brings the integrity of the FA themselves into question. What is it they can’t fathom that means this has to drag on jndefinitely as it is, to the detriment of the player, the club, the fans, and even the FA themselves. There should be calls for the head of the FA to eesign over their incompetence to bring this to a meaningful and fair conclusion.
The way that this has been handled by the authorities is disgraceful. I honestly believe that they are dragging this out because they are too embarrassed to announce that there’s no case against Paqueta.
I really hope that once he’s cleared officially, he stays with us and we see him at his best again.